Meaning, commentary and cross references
Acts 16:31
“And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
NIV · New International Version
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
WEB · World English Bible
They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
What does Acts 16:31 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Acts 16:31
And they said, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,.... Not with a bare historical faith, as only to believe that he was the Son of God, and the Messiah, and that he was come in the flesh, and had suffered, and died, and rose again, and was now in heaven at the right hand of God, and would come again to judge both quick and dead, for there may be such a faith and no salvation; but so as to look unto him alone for life and salvation, to rely upon him, and trust in him; to commit himself, and the care of his immortal soul unto him, and to expect peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life from him; the answer is much the same our Lord returned to the Jews, when they asked, though not with the…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Acts 16:25–34
They did not triumph over him, though he trembled; they gave him the same directions they did to others, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. One would think they should have said, "Repent of thy abusing us, in the first place." No, that is overlooked and easily passed by, if he will but believe in Christ. This is an example to ministers to encourage penitents, to meet those that are coming to Christ and take them by the hand, not to be hard upon any for unkindness done to them, but to seek Christ's honour more than their own.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Acts 16:29–34
31. Believe in the Lord Jesus. This is but a short, and, to look to, a cold and hungry definition of salvation, and yet it is perfect to believe in Christ. For Christ alone hath all the parts of blessedness and eternal life included in him, which he offereth to us by the gospel; and by faith we receive them, as I have declared, (Acts 15:9.)
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Acts 16:28–34 (WEB)
28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, “Don’t harm yourself, for we are all here!” 29He called for lights, sprang in, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas, 30brought them out, and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32They spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house. 33He took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household. 34He brought them up into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly with all his household, having believed in God.
Cross references
- John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:
- John 3:36
One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
- Acts 2:38–39
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Romans 10:9–10
that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
- Acts 11:13–14
He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa and get Simon, who is called Peter,
- Mark 16:16
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.
- Galatians 3:26
For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.
- Isaiah 45:22
“Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
Key words
In the Baptist Catechism
- Q92. What does God require of us, that we may escape His wrath and curse, due to us for sin?
To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requires of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption.